Congressman Denny Rehberg

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the release of 14 additional pages pertaining to the Department of Interior’s clandestine plans to declare millions of acres in Montana to be National Monuments. The missing pages may complete the “NOT FOR RELEASE” memo that originally outlined plans to utilize the Antiquities Act for the Presidential designation of National Monuments across the west, including Montana. Pages 15-21 of the memo were leaked earlier this year. The Department of Interior has acknowledged that it continues to withhold more than 2,000 pages of related documents.

“While I’m glad the Department of Interior has finally released these pages, I can certainly understand why they wanted to keep them a secret. A single sentence acknowledging the benefit of public input won’t appease Montanans when the rest of the document lays out plans to circumvent that input if it doesn’t fall in line with the pre-constructed plans of unelected Washington bureaucrats. The new pages make a disturbing case for bypassing Congress with a unilateral Presidential designation of National Monuments. This was the worst-case scenario, and it’s no longer hypothetical.”

In March, Rehberg joined his colleagues on the House Western Caucus in sending a letter with four questions. So far, only the first has been answered. These questions are below:

1. All pages of the “Internal Draft” document of which we obtained only pages 15 to 21 …

2. With regard to the “brainstorming” sessions you publicly mentioned, we would like a copy of any documents distributed at or in preparation for the meetings, a list of all participants or invitees, any notes taken at the meeting (s), and any memoranda, work product or follow up documents from the meeting(s). All records, electronic or otherwise, of meetings or discussions with private groups, individuals or other persons or entities that are not employees of the Department of the Interior where potential National Monument designations were discussed. We request all notes, agendas, memoranda or documents from those meetings.

3. All documents related to the Secretary’s initiative to compile a list of potential National Monument designations since July 1, 2009, including, but not limited to, maps.

4. Any communication with any person or entity outside of the Department of the Interior related to the Secretary’s initiative since July 1, 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced he will seek to remove the gray wolf from consideration under the Endangered Species Act. Rehberg will support legislation asking Congress to amend the 1973 act “to prohibit treatment of the Gray Wolf as an endangered species or threatened species.” The move comes in response to a recent court ruling effectively reinstating endangered status for the wolf.

“It’s become clear the courts and the environmental extremists have abandoned the principle of sound science when determining the status of the gray wolf,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Western Caucus. “Years of research, dedicated efforts by land owners and local officials, and the expert opinions of on-the-ground wildlife managers have been given a back seat to profit-motivated environmental groups. We need to call attention to this abuse and solve an issue that should have been put to rest years ago.”

When Congress returns to Washington, Rehberg will cosponsor H.R. 6028, a measure introduced by Texas Representative Chet Edwards that will amend the original Endangered Species Act to prohibit gray wolves from being listed as an endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) first issued the decision to delist the wolf in 2008, after the species had met revised recovery goals of 30 breeding pairs and 300 wolves for eight consecutive years. Wildlife biologists estimate there are 1,700 wolves in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, eastern Oregon and Washington. Wolves were first placed on the endangered species list in 1974.

“The evidence of a recovery for the gray wolf is as plain as day, yet Montana stock-growers and wildlife managers have their hands tied when it comes to managing the predator,” said Rehberg, who in February urged the White House to adhere to an FWS opinion that the wolf be delisted in Montana and Idaho. “Stock losses and big game depredation caused by an uncontrolled wolf population are a real concern in Montana, and the state’s responsible management plan needs to be put in place.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to a federal court ruling that effectively places wolves back on the endangered species list. The decision also cancels the scheduled wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho by prohibiting state management of wolf populations.

“I’ve long said decisions regarding the endangered species list should be based on sound science. I’m disappointed that after years of monitoring and research, and hundreds of millions of federal dollars spent, there are still people in this country who refuse to acknowledge the fact that gray wolves are a recovered species and ready for responsible state management. Land-owners, stock-growers, biologists, conservationists, and public officials at the state and federal level have all worked diligently to get to this point.

“It’s high time for the billion-dollar environmental extremist industry to start listening to local experts and stop assuming all knowledge about wildlife issues resides outside of Montana. State wildlife managers have legitimate concerns over depleting elk and deer populations and our livestock industry is faced with ever increasing wolf encroachment. Montana has developed a responsible wolf management plan and it should have been given a chance to succeed.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to a federal court hearing today on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision last year to remove wolves from the endangered species list in Montana and Idaho and allow for state management.

“By all accounts, gray wolf populations have far surpassed their recovery goals.  As a rancher and sportsman, I know first-hand the frustrations many Montanans have felt over the continued unnecessary federal management of wolves, and that’s why I asked the President to uphold the previous delisting decision.  The President listened, yet some conservation groups seemingly want to go back on their word.  Gray wolves in Montana and Idaho should remain off the endangered species list, and their populations managed by the appropriate state agencies.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House Republican colleagues in unveiling America Speaking Out.  By providing an online forum for Montanans to voice their opinions in setting priorities for a national agenda, this initiative mirrors the public input that Rehberg has solicited at 44 public listening sessions and through online social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

“Montanans are sick and tired of the vote-first-ask-questions-later approach to lawmaking that Speaker Pelosi has adopted.  It’s a recipe for bad laws, and worse, it’s a sign of an unresponsive government that serves its own interests before the interests of the people.  That’s why I hosted 44 public listening sessions.  That’s why I asked for 30 days to come back to Montana and listen before any vote on a health care bill.  That’s why, on a daily basis, I interact with thousands of Montanans on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  It’s time Washington, D.C. listens to the people.  We want to know what you think.  And that’s what America Speaking Out is all about.”

America Speaking Out is the first legislative website of its kind.  Using modern online tools, it empowers users to submit their own ideas or weigh in on the ideas of others.  It creates a one-of-a-kind pipeline to Washington, D.C. that will help make Congress look a lot more like Montana.  Montanans can access America Speaking Out online at http://www.americaspeakingout.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has posted online 383 previously unreleased pages from the Department of Interior regarding ongoing plans to declare millions of acres as National Monuments.  Using email and social media, he asked Montanans to review the materials and report anything of interest that they found. 

“Transparency in government is the first principle of rule by the people,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Western Caucus.  “While some have gone to great lengths to keep these documents secret, and others have suggested there was no reason to see them, I think we ought to let Montanans see for themselves what their government is doing.  It’s not going to be easy to sneak this one past almost a million Montanans.”

Although Rehberg posted the new pages – mostly emails – on his website, the DOI continues to withhold at least 2,016 pages, including the missing pages of the internal memo that was discovered earlier this year.  Rehberg has cosponsored a resolution that would compel all of these missing pages to be released.  He has also sponsored legislation that would require congressional approval of new National Monument designations in Montana.

“These documents clearly reveal that other DOI agencies including the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation have been involved,” said Rehberg in his email to Montanans.  “Powerful environmental interest groups have also been invited to the table.  The more we learn, the more urgent it becomes to pass legislation preventing a repeat of the gross abuse of power we saw in the waning days of the Clinton Administration.  I will do everything in my power to prevent the federalization of Montana land.”

The documents can be downloaded online from here: http://rehberg.house.gov/uploads/DeptofInterior.zip

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a response to Senator Jon Tester (MT) regarding his request for a meeting to discuss his wilderness bill. Senator Tester sent a letter to Rehberg late last week asking the Congressman to meet him in his Senate office in Washington, DC to discuss the issue. Rehberg recently completed 22 public meetings in Montana on the subject of Senator Tester’s wilderness bill.

“While it’s clear that some fortunate interest groups have been very involved in writing this bill from the beginning, my goal is to include all Montanans who are impacted by this legislation,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus. “Each of my twenty-two meetings has been open to the public. I certainly don’t see a reason why a meeting with Senator Tester should be any different.” Rehberg asked Senator Tester to meet with him in Montana, rather than in his Washington, D.C. office, and that the meeting be open to the public and the press.

In his letter, Rehberg also asked Senator Tester to join him in posting the individual comments Senator Tester heard from Montanans at his “open house” meetings on his website. “As Montana’s representatives to the U.S. Congress, we have the honorable distinction of setting for ourselves a higher standard of openness and transparency,” wrote Rehberg in his letter.

Finally, Rehberg noted that all of Senator Tester’s “open house” meetings took place after his bill had been written and introduced. Since Senator Tester’s most recent meeting was more than two months ago, Rehberg asked to see the most recent working draft of his wilderness bill that contained any changes resulting from the input he received at those meetings.

“I think Montanans would like to see how their ideas are being implemented in the bill,” said Rehberg. “Seeing what progress has already been made would certainly make our meeting more productive since we could avoid concerns that have already been addressed.”

Complete Letter Below:

Read the rest of this entry »

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement in response to his ‘nay’ vote on the “Restore Our American Mustangs Act” or the ROAM Act. This bill prevents responsible local management of wild horses and burros.

“From 2,500 miles away it’s easy condemn thousands of wild horses to a slow death from starvation. In Montana, where these beautiful animals are a part of our culture, the view is a little different. Whether its pine beetles, noxious weed infestations or raging wildfires, Montanans live with the consequences of federal meddling every day, and the remains of horses strewn about the landscape will symbolize yet another failed policy mandated from Washington, D.C.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement in response to the announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its brucellosis regulations concerning interstate movement of cattle by changing Montana’s classification from Class A to Class Free. In order for a state to attain and keep its Class Free status, all cattle herds within that state must remain free of Brucella abortus for a period of 12 consecutive months. The last brucellosis-affected cattle herd in Montana was detected in May 2008.

“This is great news for Montana livestock producers, who are a crucial component of our economy. This status gives Montana a clean bill of health, and it’s up to the state and federal government to find a way to keep it that way. We know where brucellosis contamination is coming from, and there’s no reason it should rear its head again. I’ll keep doing my part to protect the livelihoods of Montana ranchers, while at the same time fighting to open markets around the world for the best beef in America.”

Congressman’s Position on House Appropriations Committee Results in nearly $15 Million in Funding for Montana Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $14.89 million in funding for projects throughout the state, including $11.75 million for five separate Conservation Easement projects.  The projects are Meeteetse Spires, Blackfoot Challenge-Nora Gulch, Rocky Mountain Front, Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area and Greater Yellowstone Area-Cooke City Mining Claims.  The funding was included in the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

“Conservation has many faces, and Conservation Easement projects are among the most effective because they are built around the consensus of all interested parties,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “This funding will assist the grassroots efforts of local groups and willing land owners who have come together to preserve these important landscapes for generations to come.  I was happy to partner with President Obama on these conservation easements.  While we don’t agree on everything, ensuring future generations of Montanans have access to these diverse landscapes is something we all can support.”

President Obama included requests in his budget and Rehberg submitted them to the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.  This cooperative two-pronged approach made inclusion in the final bill more likely.

Conservation easements are voluntarily conveyed, partial legal interests in land.  Since the 1975 passage of The Montana Open-Space Land and Voluntary Conservation Easement Act over 300,000 acres have been protected with conservation easements. They comprise ecological, open space, recreational and historic areas and can include wildlife habitat, natural and undisturbed ecosystems, wildlife and scenic river corridors, threatened or endangered species, recreational resources, pro­ductive agricultural land, educational resources and historic sites or structures.

Each easement is different because each parcel of land is unique, and each easement is designed in consultation with the landowner. All land uses not specifically given up in the easement deed remain with the landowner.

“We appreciate Congressman Rehberg’s support of these projects.   Landowner demand for easements on the Rocky Mountain Front grew by 30,000 acres this year,” said Bebe Crouse, Director of Communications at The Montana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.  “These United States Fish & Wildlife Service easements support the viability of local ranches and communities in which they reside.   The Blackfoot Bureau of Land Management project represents the largest remaining public portion of the larger Blackfoot Community Project, which, when complete, will conserve more than 100,000 acres in diverse public and private ownership and will help maintain a rural way of life for that community.”